Open house brings archaeology to public

link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero

Clark Earle, right, of Portales helps his son Quinten Earle set up a spear on an atlatl during Saturday’s Blackwater Draw National Landmark Prehistoric open house at the Blackwater Draw dig site.

After an invite from a neighbor, Portales resident Clark Earle decided to take his children to the Blackwater Draw National Landmark Prehistoric Open House Saturday for the first time to see what all of the fuss was about.

The annual open house, which has been held for more than six years, offered residents a chance to speak with Blackwater Draw staff, Eastern New Mexico University’s archaeology department staff and students while participating in hands on activities.

The open house included flintknapping, jewelry making, tool making, atlatl throwing, and displays that featured tools, bones, and jewelry fund at the Blackwater Draw dig site.

Clark Earle said his son, Quinten Earle, was intrigued by the event’s activities like atlatl throwing and jewelry making.

“It (Prehistoric Open House) is educational for kids and they’re having fun,” Clark Earle said.

Clark Earle said he personally enjoyed the event’s display of prehistoric weapons and hunting methods.

“It’s interesting to learn how they used to hunt. It’s enjoyable,” Clarke Earle said.

Clark Earle and Quinten Earle learned how to throw ancient spears using an atlatl during Saturday’s open house.

“I liked when dad hit the camel and the horse,” Quinten Earle, 7, said.

Tyler Palmer, 15, who attended the open house with his mother and brother, went to the open house eager to learn and learned how to make rope out of Yucca plants.

“I really liked how you can use the state plate to make rope, I never knew that,” Palmer said.

Archaeology grad student Mara Smith said her favorite part of the open house was watching people learn how to use the atlatl.

“The atlatl really gives people a healthy dose of realizing how hard it was before meat came to you,” Smith said.

Smith, a member of ENMU’s archaeology club Mu Alpha Nu, said she and fellow club members volunteered to host the event with Blackwater Draw staff.

“It’s good to be able to bring archaeology to everyone,” Smith said.

Blackwater Draw Museum curator Jenna Domeischel said the museum and the university’s archaeological department hold the open house to show the local communities the history that surrounds them.

“We do it (open house) to share what we do with the community. People don’t realize we go as far back as 13,000 years,” Domeischel said.

Domeischel said she was pleased with the wide variety of ages that attended.